Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Plant Pathology / Bernd R. Friebe / Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n=6x=42, AABBDD) is a recent polyploid and originates from a limited number of founder genotypes. Domestication bottlenecks further reduced genetic diversity. The wheat gene pool, which consists of landraces and wild relatives such as rye (Secale cereale L.), Leymus racemosus Tien and Elymus tsukushiensis Honda, is a rich source of genetic diversity. Agronomically important traits can be transferred from these gene pools to wheat through chromosome engineering. This dissertation describes chromosome engineering and pre-breeding efforts for resistance to Hessian fly and Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat. The germplasm with a whole-arm rye translocation, T2BS.2R#2L, contains the highly effective Hessian fly resistance gene, H21, and an unnamed powdery mildew resistance gene. Directed chromosome engineering was used to shorten the whole-arm rye segment. The recovered wheat-rye recombinant chromosome, T2BS.2BL-2R#2L, had a shorter rye segment but still contained the H21 gene and was transferred through backcrosses to adapted winter and spring wheat cultivars. This study released the germplasm KS09WGGRC51, which is used in wheat breeding programs in the U.S.A. Two novel sources of FHB resistance were identified in L. racemosus and E. tsukushiensis. Fhb3 present in the wheat-L. racemosus T7AL.7Lr#1S Robertsonian translocation was transferred into the adapted Kansas winter wheat cultivar Fuller. The wheat-E. tsukushiensis disomic addition translocation line confers FHB resistance. Ph1b-induced homoeologous recombination was used to produce wheat-E. tsukushiensis recombinants. The distal and interstitial recombinants were identified using molecular markers and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). A combination of molecular cytogenetic analyses determined that the distal recombinant involved wheat chromosome 1A and a small distal segment originating from the E. tsukushiensis chromosome arm, 1E[superscript]ts#1S, resulting in the recombinant chromosome T1AL.1AS-1E[superscript]ts#1S. The interstitial recombinant involves an unidentified wheat chromosome and appears to be highly rearranged. Both recombinants confer high levels of type II FHB resistance (resistance to spread within the head) based on point inoculations in the greenhouse. To date, these two recombinants are the smallest alien introgression with FHB resistance in common wheat. This germplasm material has been released as KS14WGRC61. The distal recombinant can be used directly for breeding of FHB-resistant cultivars worldwide.

Ovarian cancer (OCa) remains the leading cause of death due to a gynecologic malignancy in North American women, and the pathogenesis of this disease is a consequence of the interplay between DNA, RNA and proteins. The genomes of these cancers are characterized by numerical and structural aberrations, resulting in copy number changes of the affected regions. The serine protease, Kallikrein 6 (KLK6), is a promising biomarker and is over-expressed in OCa. However, the mechanisms leading to the observed KLK6 overexpression are poorly understood; and to date, no study examining the chromosomal contributions to the overexpression have been conducted. Utilization of multi-colour Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH)-based technologies to untreated primary serous OCa samples and cancer cell lines, showed that the KLK locus, on 19q13.3/4, is involved in both numerical and structural aberrations; was subject to high-level copy-number heterogeneity (p<0.001); and structural rearrangements of 19q were significantly co-related to grade (p<0.001). Patients with a loss of the KLK locus, or no structural rearrangement on 19q, experienced a trend towards longer disease free survival (DFS and better overall survival (OS), over those with a gain or amplification, or with breakage events on 19q. KLK6-specific immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed weak correlation with KLK6 copy-number, suggesting other mechanisms together with copy-number, drives its over-expression. Among these mechanisms are microRNA (miRNAs), also shown to be affected by the copynumber changes in OCas. Therefore, we investigated the role of miRNAs in OCa and their role in KLK6 regulation. Specifically, we examined the copy-number status and miRNA expression in a representative OCa cell line, OVCAR-3. miRNA expression profiling of OCa cell lines and primary tumours showed their differential expression, including the decrease in expression of the let-7 family members, which are predicted to target KLK6. Indeed, when hsa-let-7a was transiently transfected into OVCAR-3, a reduction of secreted KLK6 protein was detected. Thus, the contribution of numerical and structural aberrations of the OCa genome can directly affect the expression KLK6 through copy-number, but is also aided post-transcriptionally by miRNAs.

Ovarian cancer (OCa) remains the leading cause of death due to a gynecologic malignancy in North American women, and the pathogenesis of this disease is a consequence of the interplay between DNA, RNA and proteins. The genomes of these cancers are characterized by numerical and structural aberrations, resulting in copy number changes of the affected regions. The serine protease, Kallikrein 6 (KLK6), is a promising biomarker and is over-expressed in OCa. However, the mechanisms leading to the observed KLK6 overexpression are poorly understood; and to date, no study examining the chromosomal contributions to the overexpression have been conducted. Utilization of multi-colour Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH)-based technologies to untreated primary serous OCa samples and cancer cell lines, showed that the KLK locus, on 19q13.3/4, is involved in both numerical and structural aberrations; was subject to high-level copy-number heterogeneity (p<0.001); and structural rearrangements of 19q were significantly co-related to grade (p<0.001). Patients with a loss of the KLK locus, or no structural rearrangement on 19q, experienced a trend towards longer disease free survival (DFS and better overall survival (OS), over those with a gain or amplification, or with breakage events on 19q. KLK6-specific immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed weak correlation with KLK6 copy-number, suggesting other mechanisms together with copy-number, drives its over-expression. Among these mechanisms are microRNA (miRNAs), also shown to be affected by the copynumber changes in OCas. Therefore, we investigated the role of miRNAs in OCa and their role in KLK6 regulation. Specifically, we examined the copy-number status and miRNA expression in a representative OCa cell line, OVCAR-3. miRNA expression profiling of OCa cell lines and primary tumours showed their differential expression, including the decrease in expression of the let-7 family members, which are predicted to target KLK6. Indeed, when hsa-let-7a was transiently transfected into OVCAR-3, a reduction of secreted KLK6 protein was detected. Thus, the contribution of numerical and structural aberrations of the OCa genome can directly affect the expression KLK6 through copy-number, but is also aided post-transcriptionally by miRNAs.

(English) Sex determination plays an important role in the viability of populations and species evolvability. This is one of the reasons why sex determination has become an important subject of many studies during more than the last 100 years. The thesis focuses on the evolution of sex determination systems in toxicoferan reptiles. Toxicofera is a group of squamate reptiles containing more than 6000 species. Their species richness is also reflected in the diversity of their sex determination systems. The presence of environmental sex determination (ESD) as well as genotypic sex determination (GSD) with either XX/XZ or ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes, was reported among the toxicoferan species; however, the current knowledge on sex determination in toxicoferan reptiles is not equally distributed across their lineages. The main aim of the theses is to expand our knowledge on sex chromosome evolution using cytogenetic methods in snakes, chameleons and anguimorphan lizards. The first part of the thesis deals with the sex chromosome evolution in caenophidian and henophidian snakes. It is focused mainly on the variability in the distribution of repetitive content as well as heterochromatinization of the W chromosome of caenophidian snakes. While the sex chromosomes of Caenophidia are cytogenetically quite well...

Introdução: Durante as últimas décadas, a utilização de métodos moleculares como Hibridizacão in situ por fluorescência (FISH) e Hibridização Genômica Comparativa (array-CGH) mudou dramaticamente a perspectiva em relação à detecção de rearranjos genômicos submicroscópicos. O número de doenças identificadas como causada por microdeleções/microduplicações cromossômicas aumentou rapidamente, trazendo um papel crucial para a citogenética no diagnóstico destas condições. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e caracterizar microdeleções cromossômicas associadas a síndromes de malformações em um laboratório de citogenética de referência de um hospital público do sul do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo, em uma série consecutiva de amostras. O estudo foi baseado em registros hospitalares e laboratoriais de amostras de uma coorte de pacientes com suspeita clínica de microdeleção cromossômica. Foram selecionadas amostras de indivíduos em que o diagnóstico clínico proposto incluia uma suspeita de rearranjo nos cromossomos 4p16.3, 5p15.2, 5q35, 7q11.23, 8q24.12, 15q11-q12, 16p13.3, 17p13.3, 17p11. 2,2 e 22q11 que foram analisados por hibridização in situ por fluorescência (FISH). Em 11 amostras com microdeleções, hibridização genômica comparativa (array-CGH) foi realizada. Resultados: Um total de 504 amostras foram avaliadas, sendo as suspeitas mais comuns a deleção 22q11.2 (29,5%), a síndrome de Prader-Willi (21,6%), a síndrome de Williams-Beuren (15%) e da síndrome de Angelman (13 %). Em 120 deles (23,8%) desequilíbrios cromossómicas relacionadas com o diagnóstico clínico foram encontrados. A del7q11.23 foi a alteração mais frequente (8,5%) detectada, seguida por del22q11.2 (5,3%) e del15q11-q12 (4,5%). Conclusões: Nossos achados reforçam à estratégia de que um teste de citogenética molecular sensível associada com uma avaliação clínico qualificado são cruciais para a detecção e caracterização precisa de deleções cromossômicas submicroscópicas. Além disso, nosso estudo enfatiza a necessidade de educação continuada para o desenvolvimento e utilização de novas tecnologias para o diagnóstico citogenético, as quais, em nossa experiência, puderam ser introduzidas com sucesso em um hospital público do sul do Brasil. / Background: During the past decades, the widespread use of FISH and microarray-based technologies dramatically changed our perspective regarding detection of submicroscopic genomic rearrangements. The number of diseases identified as caused by chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications increased quickly, bringing a new and crucial role for cytogenetics in the diagnosis of these conditions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and chraracterize chromosomal microdeletions associated with malformation syndromes in a reference cytogenetics laboratory from a public hospital of Southern Brazil. Methods: Using retrospective and prospective approaches, we evaluated a consecutive series of samples. The study was based in hospital and laboratorial records of samples from a cohort of subjects with clinical suspicion of a chromosomal microdeletion. We selected samples from subjects in whom a clinical diagnosis was proposed, which included deletion of chromosomes 4p16.3, 5p15.2, 5q35, 7q11.23, 8q24.12, 15q11-q12, 16p13.3, 17p13.3, 17p11.2,2 and 22q11 identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. In 11 samples with microdeletions, array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) was performed. Results: A total of 504 samples were evaluated, being the most common suspicions the 22q11.2 deletion (29.5%), the Prader-Willi syndrome (21.6%), the Williams-Beuren syndrome (15%) and the Angelman syndrome (13%). In 120 of them (23.8%) chromosomal imbalances related to the clinical diagnosis were found. The deletion 7q11.23 was the most frequently finding (8.5%), followed by del22q11.2 (5.3%) and del15q11-q12 (4.5%). Conclusions: Our findings provide support to the idea that a sensitive molecular cytogenetic test associated with a qualified clinical evaluation are crucial for the detection and precise characterization of submiscroscopic chromosome deletions. Additionally, our study emphasizes the need of continuing 6 education for the improvement of the cytogenetic diagnosis technology, which was successfully introduced in a public hospital of Southern Brazil.

Introdução: Durante as últimas décadas, a utilização de métodos moleculares como Hibridizacão in situ por fluorescência (FISH) e Hibridização Genômica Comparativa (array-CGH) mudou dramaticamente a perspectiva em relação à detecção de rearranjos genômicos submicroscópicos. O número de doenças identificadas como causada por microdeleções/microduplicações cromossômicas aumentou rapidamente, trazendo um papel crucial para a citogenética no diagnóstico destas condições. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e caracterizar microdeleções cromossômicas associadas a síndromes de malformações em um laboratório de citogenética de referência de um hospital público do sul do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo, em uma série consecutiva de amostras. O estudo foi baseado em registros hospitalares e laboratoriais de amostras de uma coorte de pacientes com suspeita clínica de microdeleção cromossômica. Foram selecionadas amostras de indivíduos em que o diagnóstico clínico proposto incluia uma suspeita de rearranjo nos cromossomos 4p16.3, 5p15.2, 5q35, 7q11.23, 8q24.12, 15q11-q12, 16p13.3, 17p13.3, 17p11. 2,2 e 22q11 que foram analisados por hibridização in situ por fluorescência (FISH). Em 11 amostras com microdeleções, hibridização genômica comparativa (array-CGH) foi realizada. Resultados: Um total de 504 amostras foram avaliadas, sendo as suspeitas mais comuns a deleção 22q11.2 (29,5%), a síndrome de Prader-Willi (21,6%), a síndrome de Williams-Beuren (15%) e da síndrome de Angelman (13 %). Em 120 deles (23,8%) desequilíbrios cromossómicas relacionadas com o diagnóstico clínico foram encontrados. A del7q11.23 foi a alteração mais frequente (8,5%) detectada, seguida por del22q11.2 (5,3%) e del15q11-q12 (4,5%). Conclusões: Nossos achados reforçam à estratégia de que um teste de citogenética molecular sensível associada com uma avaliação clínico qualificado são cruciais para a detecção e caracterização precisa de deleções cromossômicas submicroscópicas. Além disso, nosso estudo enfatiza a necessidade de educação continuada para o desenvolvimento e utilização de novas tecnologias para o diagnóstico citogenético, as quais, em nossa experiência, puderam ser introduzidas com sucesso em um hospital público do sul do Brasil. / Background: During the past decades, the widespread use of FISH and microarray-based technologies dramatically changed our perspective regarding detection of submicroscopic genomic rearrangements. The number of diseases identified as caused by chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications increased quickly, bringing a new and crucial role for cytogenetics in the diagnosis of these conditions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and chraracterize chromosomal microdeletions associated with malformation syndromes in a reference cytogenetics laboratory from a public hospital of Southern Brazil. Methods: Using retrospective and prospective approaches, we evaluated a consecutive series of samples. The study was based in hospital and laboratorial records of samples from a cohort of subjects with clinical suspicion of a chromosomal microdeletion. We selected samples from subjects in whom a clinical diagnosis was proposed, which included deletion of chromosomes 4p16.3, 5p15.2, 5q35, 7q11.23, 8q24.12, 15q11-q12, 16p13.3, 17p13.3, 17p11.2,2 and 22q11 identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. In 11 samples with microdeletions, array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) was performed. Results: A total of 504 samples were evaluated, being the most common suspicions the 22q11.2 deletion (29.5%), the Prader-Willi syndrome (21.6%), the Williams-Beuren syndrome (15%) and the Angelman syndrome (13%). In 120 of them (23.8%) chromosomal imbalances related to the clinical diagnosis were found. The deletion 7q11.23 was the most frequently finding (8.5%), followed by del22q11.2 (5.3%) and del15q11-q12 (4.5%). Conclusions: Our findings provide support to the idea that a sensitive molecular cytogenetic test associated with a qualified clinical evaluation are crucial for the detection and precise characterization of submiscroscopic chromosome deletions. Additionally, our study emphasizes the need of continuing 6 education for the improvement of the cytogenetic diagnosis technology, which was successfully introduced in a public hospital of Southern Brazil.

Submitted by Bruna Rodrigues (bruna92rodrigues@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-27T14:16:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T14:11:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T14:11:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-10T14:12:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-27 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Parodontidae comprises the genera Parodon, Apareiodon e Saccodon, including 32 valid species. Of these, 16 occur in Brazil, and only ten defined at species level and one at genus level possess available chromosomal data. Due to the lack of cytogenetic data of Parodontidae species from the Tocantins-Araguaia and Jaguaribe river basins, this study analyzed by cytogenetic (classical and molecular) and molecular (DNA Barcode) methods six populations from the Tocantins-Araguaia river basin (Apareiodon cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, Apareiodon machrisi, Apareiodon argenteus and Parodon cf. pongoensis) and one species from the Jaguaribe river basin (Apareiodon davisi), in order to contribute to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of the family and assist in the understanding of chromosome evolution of this fish group. For all of the Apareiodon analyzed species was identified conservation in diploid number, distribution pattern of heterochromatic blocks and dispersion pattern of repetitive fraction WAp. However, karyotype formula, active nucleolar organizer regions, location of ribosomal genes 45S and 5S and distribution of satellite DNA pPh2004 sites shown to be variable among the species. The (GATA)n and telomeric (TTAGGG)n sequences exhibited similar pattern in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2 and A. machrisi. In this work, we described the first reports of ribosomal genes co-location for Parodontidae, being observed in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi and A. davisi, and also the polymorphism involving the two ribosomal sequences of A. davisi. Analysis of histones H1 and H4 localization represent the first study of histone genes in the family and showed that the seven collected species have co-location of these sequences in a chromosome pair, occuring one additional site of H1 in A. davisi, and dispersed sites of this sequence by the chromosomes of the species. Chromosomal analysis and DNA Barcode performed in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2 and A. machrisi showed recent divergence among these individual groups, suggesting that Apareiodon sp. 2 is a possible new species, and Apareiodon sp. 1 is a population of A. machrisi. This work contributed to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of viii Parodontidae, presenting unpublished chromosomal and molecular data of this family. General analysis of chromosomal data of this family revealed conservation of karyotype macrostructure, however, more detailed analyzes indicated the occurrence of a great variety of chromosomal microstructural level. The results presented in this study, along with that available in literature, indicated that this microstructure chromosome diversity is clearly linked to repetitive DNAs dynamics. / Parodontidae é composta pelos gêneros Parodon, Apareiodon e Saccodon, incluindo 32 espécies consideradas válidas. Destas, 16 ocorrem em território brasileiro e apenas 11 possuem dados cromossômicos disponíveis. Considerando a escassez de dados citogenéticos para espécies de Parodontidae das bacias dos rios Tocantins-Araguaia e Jaguaribe, o presente trabalho analisou através de metodologias citogenéticas (clássicas e moleculares) e moleculares (DNA Barcode) seis populações da bacia dos rios Tocantins-Araguaia (Apareiodon cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, Apareiodon machrisi, Apareiodon argenteus e Parodon cf. pongoensis) e uma espécie da bacia do rio Jaguaribe (Apareiodon davisi), com o intuito de contribuir para o conhecimento da diversidade genética da família e auxiliar na compreensão da taxonomia e evolução cromossômica desse grupo de peixes. Para todas as espécies de Apareiodon analisadas, foi identificada conservação no número diploide, padrão de distribuição de heterocromatina e padrão de dispersão da fração repetitiva WAp. Entretanto, a fórmula cariotípica, as regiões organizadoras de nucléolo ativas, a localização dos genes ribossomais 45S e 5S e a distribuição dos sítios do DNA satélite pPh2004 mostraram-se variáveis entre as espécies. As sequências (GATA)n e telomérica (TTAGGG)n exibiram padrão similar para A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi. No presente trabalho foram descritos os primeiros relatos de co-localização de genes ribossomais para Parodontidae, sendo observados em A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi e A. davisi, e também do polimorfismo envolvendo as duas sequências ribossomais verificado em A. davisi. As análises da localização das sequências das histonas H1 e H4 representam os primeiros dados de genes histônicos para a família e evidenciaram para as sete espécies coletadas a ocorrência de co-localização destas sequências em um par cromossômico, ocorrendo um sítio adicional de H1 em A. davisi, e sítios dispersos dessa sequência pelos cromossomos das espécies. Análises cromossômicas e de DNA Barcode realizadas para A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi evidenciaram divergência recente entre esses grupos de indivíduos, vi sugerindo que Apareiodon sp. 2 represente uma possível espécie que carece de descrição taxonômica e Apareiodon sp. 1 seja uma população de A. machrisi. O presente trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento da diversidade genética de Parodontidae, apresentando dados cromossômicos e moleculares inéditos desta família. Análises gerais dos dados cromossômicos conhecidos para a família revelam conservação da macroestrutura cariotípica, entretanto, análises mais detalhadas evidenciam a ocorrência de uma grande diversidade cromossômica em nível microestrutural. Os resultados apresentados no presente trabalho, juntamente aos disponíveis em literatura, indicam que esta diversidade da microestrutura cromossômica encontra-se claramente associada à dinâmica dos DNAs repetitivos. / 2012/15258-0

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:42:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 897621 bytes, checksum: e2a579de88f1b70bef922be819992a6c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-19 / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / The fluorescente in situ hybridization advent introducted the cytogenetics in molecular era, with methodological advances that enable the investigation of chromosome science at different levels. Among these advances, it stands out the unequivocally identification of homologous chromosomes pairs, the specific sequences location, the direct prospecting of chromosomal abnormalities, besides providing high-resolution information on the structure and organization of chromosomes. Within the strategies of molecular cytogenetics, microdissection and DOP-PCR techniques have been widely used in the chromosome-specific probes construction. However, the absence of well-established and reproducible protocols, besides the need for relatively large number of chromosomes for micromanipulation, this technique has been limited. The present study aimed to standard a methodology for chromosome-specific probes construction, involving micromanipulation and DOP-PCR techniques. Human lymphocyte cultures were carried out to obtain metaphases, both male and female origin. In situ amplification (PRINS) reaction was performed on a slide containing metaphase, applying 50 &#956;L of reaction mix with Platinun® Taq DNA Polymerase High Fidelity 1 U, enzime reaction buffer, MgSO4 2 mM, dNTPs 200 &#956;M and primer 4 &#956;M. Then, ten X chromosomes fragments were microdissected using microneedles coupled to a phase contrast microscope and transferred to a tube containing 0.2 &#956;L proteinase K, where deproteinizated at 37 °C for 24 hours. The material was amplified by DOP-PCR in 15 &#956;L of reaction, and marked with Tetramethyl-rhodamine-5-dUTP. The probe was denatured for 10 minutes at 99 °C in 35 &#956;L of hybridization mix containing: formamide 50 %, SSC 2X, Dextran Sulfate 10 %, 1 mg of Cot-1 and 200 ng of labeled probe. This mix was applied on the slide, which was denatured at 75 ºC for 8 minutes and then subjected to hybridization at 37 °C for 20 hours. After hybridization, stringency washes and counter-staining with DAPI were performed, and the material was analyzed with a fluorescence microscope coupled to an image capture system. A subcentromeric X chromosome specific probe was obtained, with an unique mark in male metaphase and two marks in female metaphases, with one or two fluorescent signals in interphase nuclei. / Com o advento da hibridização in situ fluorescente, a citogenética foi introduzida na era molecular, com avanços metodológicos que possibilitaram a investigação em vários níveis da ciência dos cromossomos. Destaca-se entre esses avanços a identificação de pares de cromossomos homólogos de forma inequívoca, a localização de sequências específicas, a prospecção direta de anormalidades cromossômicas, além de proporcionar informações de alta-resolução sobre a estrutura e organização dos cromossomos. Dentro das estratégias da citogenética molecular, as técnicas de microdissecção e de DOP-PCR têm sido muito utilizadas na construção de sondas cromossomo-específicas. Entretanto, a ausência de protocolos bem estabelecidos e reprodutíveis, além da necessidade de captura por micromanipulação de um número relativamente grande de cromossomos, essa técnica tem sido limitada quanto à sua aplicação mais ampla. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo padronizar uma metodologia para construção de sondas cromossomo-específicas, associando as técnicas de micromanipulação e DOP-PCR. Culturas de linfócitos humanos foram realizadas para a obtenção de lâminas contendo metáfases, tanto de origem masculina quanto feminina. A reação de amplificação in situ (PRINS) foi realizada sobre uma lâmina contendo metáfases, aplicando uma mistura de 50 &#956;l de reação, contendo 1,0 U de Platinun® Taq DNA Polymerase High Fidelity, tampão de reação da enzima, 2 mM de MgSO4, 200 &#956;M de dNTPs e 4 &#956;M de primer. Em seguida, dez fragmentos de cromossomos X foram microdissectados utilizando microagulhas acopladas a um microscópio de contraste de fase e transferidos para um tubo de 0,2mL contendo proteinase K, de onde seguiu para a desproteinização a 37 ºC por 24 horas. O material foi amplificado por DOP-PCR em 15 &#956;l de reação, e marcado com Tetramethyl-rhodamine-5-dUTP. A sonda foi desnaturada por 10 minutos a 99 ºC em 35 &#956;L de uma mistura de hibridização contendo: 50 % Formamida, 2X SSC, 10 % Dextran Sulfato, 1 &#956;g de Cot-1 e 200 ng da sonda marcada. Essa mistura foi aplicada na lâmina, que foi desnatura a 75 ºC por 8 minutos e depois foi submetida à hibridização a 37 ºC por 20 horas. Após a hibridização, foram realizadas as lavagens de estringência, contra-coloração com DAPI, e visualização do material em microscópio de fluorescência acoplado a um sistema de captura de imagens. Uma sonda específica para a região subcentromérica do cromossomo X foi obtida, apresentando uma marcação em metáfases de indivíduos masculinos e duas marcações em metáfases de indivíduos femininos, além de um ou dois sinais fluorescentes nos núcleos interfásicos.

Introdução: Durante as últimas décadas, a utilização de métodos moleculares como Hibridizacão in situ por fluorescência (FISH) e Hibridização Genômica Comparativa (array-CGH) mudou dramaticamente a perspectiva em relação à detecção de rearranjos genômicos submicroscópicos. O número de doenças identificadas como causada por microdeleções/microduplicações cromossômicas aumentou rapidamente, trazendo um papel crucial para a citogenética no diagnóstico destas condições. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e caracterizar microdeleções cromossômicas associadas a síndromes de malformações em um laboratório de citogenética de referência de um hospital público do sul do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo, em uma série consecutiva de amostras. O estudo foi baseado em registros hospitalares e laboratoriais de amostras de uma coorte de pacientes com suspeita clínica de microdeleção cromossômica. Foram selecionadas amostras de indivíduos em que o diagnóstico clínico proposto incluia uma suspeita de rearranjo nos cromossomos 4p16.3, 5p15.2, 5q35, 7q11.23, 8q24.12, 15q11-q12, 16p13.3, 17p13.3, 17p11. 2,2 e 22q11 que foram analisados por hibridização in situ por fluorescência (FISH). Em 11 amostras com microdeleções, hibridização genômica comparativa (array-CGH) foi realizada. Resultados: Um total de 504 amostras foram avaliadas, sendo as suspeitas mais comuns a deleção 22q11.2 (29,5%), a síndrome de Prader-Willi (21,6%), a síndrome de Williams-Beuren (15%) e da síndrome de Angelman (13 %). Em 120 deles (23,8%) desequilíbrios cromossómicas relacionadas com o diagnóstico clínico foram encontrados. A del7q11.23 foi a alteração mais frequente (8,5%) detectada, seguida por del22q11.2 (5,3%) e del15q11-q12 (4,5%). Conclusões: Nossos achados reforçam à estratégia de que um teste de citogenética molecular sensível associada com uma avaliação clínico qualificado são cruciais para a detecção e caracterização precisa de deleções cromossômicas submicroscópicas. Além disso, nosso estudo enfatiza a necessidade de educação continuada para o desenvolvimento e utilização de novas tecnologias para o diagnóstico citogenético, as quais, em nossa experiência, puderam ser introduzidas com sucesso em um hospital público do sul do Brasil. / Background: During the past decades, the widespread use of FISH and microarray-based technologies dramatically changed our perspective regarding detection of submicroscopic genomic rearrangements. The number of diseases identified as caused by chromosomal microdeletions/microduplications increased quickly, bringing a new and crucial role for cytogenetics in the diagnosis of these conditions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify and chraracterize chromosomal microdeletions associated with malformation syndromes in a reference cytogenetics laboratory from a public hospital of Southern Brazil. Methods: Using retrospective and prospective approaches, we evaluated a consecutive series of samples. The study was based in hospital and laboratorial records of samples from a cohort of subjects with clinical suspicion of a chromosomal microdeletion. We selected samples from subjects in whom a clinical diagnosis was proposed, which included deletion of chromosomes 4p16.3, 5p15.2, 5q35, 7q11.23, 8q24.12, 15q11-q12, 16p13.3, 17p13.3, 17p11.2,2 and 22q11 identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. In 11 samples with microdeletions, array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) was performed. Results: A total of 504 samples were evaluated, being the most common suspicions the 22q11.2 deletion (29.5%), the Prader-Willi syndrome (21.6%), the Williams-Beuren syndrome (15%) and the Angelman syndrome (13%). In 120 of them (23.8%) chromosomal imbalances related to the clinical diagnosis were found. The deletion 7q11.23 was the most frequently finding (8.5%), followed by del22q11.2 (5.3%) and del15q11-q12 (4.5%). Conclusions: Our findings provide support to the idea that a sensitive molecular cytogenetic test associated with a qualified clinical evaluation are crucial for the detection and precise characterization of submiscroscopic chromosome deletions. Additionally, our study emphasizes the need of continuing 6 education for the improvement of the cytogenetic diagnosis technology, which was successfully introduced in a public hospital of Southern Brazil.

Orientadores: Vera Lucia Gil da Silva Lopes, Iscia Lopes Cendes / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T17:53:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Freitas_ErikaCristinaLopesBurronede_D.pdf: 4235837 bytes, checksum: 014a02ceef9fbd93a09deb49df5f0a37 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A Síndrome Blefaroqueilodôntica (BCD) e os Defeitos de Linha Média Facial com Hipertelorismo (DLMFH) são defeitos craniofaciais raros. Por esse motivo, os estudos de grandes casuísticas têm sido limitados. Contribuição científica significativa neste assunto tem sido dada por nosso grupo, que delineou características clínicas e diretrizes para seguimento de longo prazo e evidenciou achados neuroradiológicos em ambas as anomalias. Embasado nesses achados preliminares e evidências recentes da literatura pertinente, foi possível estabelecer uma estratégia inicial para investigação etiológica da BCD e dos DLMFH, sendo os objetivos desse projeto: investigar a etiologia da BCD nos indivíduos afetados pela síndrome, por meio de estudo dos genes candidatos IRF6, P63, OSR2, TBX10, FOXE1, SHH, FGF8 e PAX3; pesquisar, nos indivíduos com DLMFH, a presença de mutações nos genes candidatos SHH, FGF8 e PAX3; identificar, em ambas as malformações, possíveis alterações cromossômicas; e, por último, associar os achados clínicos detectados nas investigações anteriores aos possíveis achados moleculares. Foram utilizadas técnicas de sequenciamento direto, array-CGH, genotipagem automática e hibridação in situ por fluorescência. Não foi possível relacionar nenhuma mutação pontual nos genes estudados associadas às malformações em questão, pois não foram encontradas alterações gênicas patogênicas. Entretanto foram detectadas em pacientes com DLFMH três aberrações cromossômicas em regiões distintas do genoma, tratando-se de um caso de duplicação no cromossomo 6 (paciente DLMFH7), um caso com deleção no cromossomo 9 e duplicação no cromossomo 20 (paciente DLMFH10) e um caso de deleção no cromossomo 2 (paciente DLMFH1). Nesse último, o gene PAX3 encontrava-se dentro da região deletada, confirmando a hipótese inicial de que alguns genes de desenvolvimento estão envolvidos na etiologia dos DLMFH. Conclui-se, portanto, que em indivíduos com DLMFH, a técnica de array-CGH pode ser útil para detecção de aberrações cromossômicas diversas e o aconselhamento genético deve ser individualizado / Abstract: The Blepharocheilodontic Syndrome (BCD) and Midline Facial Defects with Ocular Hypertelorism (MFDH) are rare craniofacial anomalies. Considering the rarity of these two groups of congenital defects, studies with large casuistry have been limited. Our group has significantly contributed to the scientific knowledge about both anomalies, delineating clinical characteristics, evidencing neurological findings and designing protocols for long term follow-up. Based in these preliminary findings and recent evidences of pertinent literature, it was possible to determine an initial etiologic investigation strategy for the BCD and the MFDH. The objectives of this project are to investigate the etiology of the BCD in affected individuals through IRF6, P63, OSR2, TBX10, FOXE1, SHH, FGF8 and PAX3 candidate genes study; to search MFDH patients for mutations in the SHH, FGF8 and PAX3 candidate genes; to identify, in both syndromes, possible chromosomal anomalies; and finally, to associate the detected clinical findings in previous investigations to the molecular results. The direct sequencing, array-CGH, automatic genotyping and FISH were the molecular techniques used in this study. It was not possible to relate any punctual mutation in the studied genes associated to the syndromes investigated since none pathogenetic alteration was found. Although, chromosomal anomalies in different locations of the genome were detected in three MFDH patients, a chromosome 6 duplication (in patient MFDH7), a chromosome 9 deletion and chromosome 20 duplication (in patient MFDH10), and a chromosome 2 deletion (in patient MFDH1). In the latter case, the PAX3 gene was inside the deleted region, supporting the initial hypothesis that some development genes are involved in the MFDH etiology. Therefore, it can be concluded that in MFDH patients, the array-CGH investigation can be useful to detect a wide range of chromosomal anomalies and the genetic counseling must be individualized / Doutorado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Doutor em Ciências Médicas